Kevin De Bruyne received similar treatment from Jason Puncheon of Crystal Palace while youngster Brahim Diaz was hit by a knee-high challenge from West Brom’s Matt Phillips – with both opposing players picking up bookings as a result.

Those decisions formed part of a letter which Manchester City sent to the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the body responsible for referees, reporting a total of nine challenges they felt had not been sufficiently punished.

Guardiola spoke after Sane picked up an injury in the challenge from Bennett in an FA Cup tie last month and called for players to be better protected.

But Wenger, whose Arsenal side meet City in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final, believes officials must simply apply the letter of the law rather than offering any extra protection.

Pep Guardiola, right, speaks to referee Bobby Madley after City's game with West Brom

“I don’t know what it means,” he said when asked about Guardiola’s comments.

“Protection yes, but we just want the referees to respect the rule book.

“It is all in the rules, we don’t need any extra protection. You want the referees to make the right decision, that’s all.

“Pep is maybe concerned by one or two situations where his players were tackled against Wigan on Monday night, which I can understand.

“But you don’t want extra protection, you want protection and that is just by the referee making the right decisions in the situations.”

Wenger has never won the League Cup but can complete a full set of major domestic honours, adding to his three Premier League titles and a record seven FA Cup triumphs, with victory this weekend.

🗣️ Boss, do you still get nervous when you wake up on cup final day?#AFCvMCFC

Preparations for the final were not ideal as a much-changed Arsenal lost 2-1 to Swedish side Ostersund in the Europa League on Thursday night – although they have still progressed into the next round with a 4-2 aggregate win.

The Gunners will now face AC Milan in the last 16 of the continental competition.

Wenger has been boosted by Aaron Ramsey’s recovery from a groin injury which puts him in contention to return, while Mesut Ozil should shake off an illness to be involved and club-record signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is available having been ineligible in Europe.